Upcoming Sussex County Senior Day to feature 1940s variety show theme

Matt Rainey/The Star-LedgerJerry Pagano (left) sings with Lou Andres (on piano) and Jan Jorritsma as the entertainers rehearse for the upcoming "USO Variety Show at the Canteen," which will be performed at the New Jersey State Fair at the Sussex County fairgrounds on Senior Day at the fair on Aug. 12. The show is by the Sussex County Division of Senior Services.

AUGUSTA — For most senior citizens, a trip down memory lane usually brings back a lot of fond memories of days gone by.

Next month at the New Jersey State Fair, seniors attending Senior Day will get a chance to go back to the 1940s, when the styles of the day included women who wore their hair up in pin curls and men donning wide-brimmed fedoras. High-heels were just starting to come into vogue.

"It’s going to be a great day for the old folks," said Jan Jorritsma, event organizer and singer who will be among those performing at the "USO Variety Show at the Canteen" on Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta.

"We had a big turnout last year. It’s good stuff," said Jorritsma, of Lafayette.

This year’s United Service Organizations Inc. theme is based on the variety shows performed for U.S. troops stationed overseas from 1941 to 1947 during the World War II era.

Some of the performers at those legendary performances included Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, The Marx Brothers, and comedian and actor Bob Hope, who made the shows a part of Americana, when he performed for U.S. troops stationed overseas during the Vietnam War.

Matt Rainey/The Star-LedgerEntertainers Jerry Pagano (left), Al Bosna (Uncle Sam), and Mary Schnurr rehearse for the upcoming "USO Variety Show at the Canteen, " which will be performed at the New Jersey State Fair at the Sussex County fairgrounds on Senior Day at the fair, Aug. 12.

This year’s show follows last year’s successful performance of a Big Band era-themed show that attracted more than 500 seniors. A previous show focused on Elvis Presley.

Jorritsma said more than 40 local entertainers are expected to perform this year’s USO-themed show, including the North Jersey-based New Horizons Orchestra, a 20-piece all-senior group, and a few more acts could be added before show time.

"We have lots of girl singers; we could use some more variety acts," said Jorritsma, shortly after performing a lively rendition of the 1940s classic, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," with a couple of other singers during a rehearsal last week in a hot back room at the Tri-State Actors Theater in Sussex Borough.

"But it must be in the flavor of the ‘40s. Someone would have to have a sense of that," said Jorritsma.

"Wouldn’t it be great to see a couple of plate-spinners?" she joked.

For singer and pianist Jerry Pagano, of Branchville, the show gives him a chance to relive his own past when he lived in New York City in the late 1950s and chased his dream of making a living with his musical talents. He eventually gave up the music business and got a day job with the state Division of Youth & Family Services before his retirement.

"I do this stuff at home sometimes; it’s just ho-hum at home," said Pagano, during a rehearsal break.

"But once I’m in the midst of it all, sometimes, I don’t even recognize myself," he said, laughing.

Senior Day will also include early-morning refreshments, while supplies last, informational exhibits and door prizes.